Machine for applying closures to bottles



Aug. 8, 1944. v E. N. LowRY MACHINE FOR APPLYING CLOSURES TO BOTTLES Filed Feb. 23, 1940 12 sheetsfsheet 2 '22 BY Edward/Wlawzj,

v A TTORNEYS Aug- 8, 1944. E. N. LowRY 2,355,385

MACHINE FOR ABPLYING cLoSUREs To BoTTLEs Filed Feb. 25, 1940 12 sheets-sheet 's jlE-- 37a 3A 7 Jas 37 $372 v INVENTOR:

BY Edwafdlow MQW/W ATTORNEY.

Aug. 8, 1944. 4E, N, LOWRY 2,355,385

MACHINE FOR APPLYING CLOSURES TO BOTTLES Filed Feb. 23, 1940 12 sham-sheen IN VENTOR.

l I l BY 'afafdLWI/jf,

n ATTORNEYS.

Aug.. 8, 1944.

EL N. L owl-'aY- MACHINE FOR APPLYING CLOSURES TO BOTTLES l2. Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 23, 1940 Edward Af 10W f BY ATTORNEYS.

Aug. s, 1944. E. N. LOWRQ 2,355,385

MACHINE FOR APPLYING CLOSURES TO BOTTLES Filed Feb. 23, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 1n M u r O IIE- 7- I INVENTOR.'

BY *f ATTORNEYS.

- w y iiimn f- Aug- 8, 1944' E. N. LowRY 2,355,385

MACHINE FOR APPLYING CLOSURS TO BOTTLES Filed Feb. 25, 1940 l2 Sheets-Sheet 7 le- Q wrm iNvENTOR:

'BY Evi/@16M my? ATTORNEY.

Aug. 8, 1944. E. N, LowRY 2,355,385

MACHINE FOR APPLYING CLOSURES TO BOTTLES Filed Feb. 23, 1940 12 sheet-sheet 8 1NVENTOR:

Edward Af.

Aug.` 8, 1944. E. N. LowRY v 2,355,385

MACHINE FOR APPLYING CLOS'URES TO BOTTLES Filed Feb'. 2s, 1940 12 'sheets-sheet 9 ATTRNEY.

All@ 8, 1944. E. N. LOWRY 1 I 2,355,385

MACHINE FOR APPLYING CLOSURES TO BOTTLES Filed Feb. 2s, 1940 1g sheets-'sheet 1o ATTORNEY 5 Aug- 8, 1944 N. LowRY 2,355,385

MACHINE FOR APPLYING CLOSURS TO 'BOTTLES FiledFeb. 23, 1940 12 sheets-sheet 11 I INVENTOR.'

` Edwafdowly,

ATTORNEYS.

Allg- 8, 1944- Y' E. N. LowRY n 2,355,385

MACHINE FOR APPLYING CLOSURES T O BOTTLES Filed Feb, 23, 1940 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 1N VENTOR.'

BY Edmffona ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 8, 1944 MACHINE FOR APPLYING CLOSURES T f BOTTLES Edward N. Lowry, Syracuse, N. Y., assignorto Oswego Falls Corporation, Fulton, N. 3177:,y ja corporation of New York Application February 23, 1940, Serial No. 320,366 17 claims. (C1. `22e-a3) This invention relates to a machine for applying hood caps to containers or bottles and embodies certain features which renders the machine particularly adapted for the application of hood caps, the skirts of which caps are coated with a substance rendered adhesive by the application of heat to make the caps self-securing on th bottles,

. The invention jhas as an object a machine of the type referred to embodying a particularly compact structure operable to apply the caps to thebottles at a comparatively high speed, the machine being capable to apply 140 or more caps per minute without breakage or damageto the bottles.

The invention has as a further object the provision of means for heating'the skirt portion of the caps after the same have been deposited-on the tops of the bottles, the caps being heated durf ing the advancement of a procession of bottles.

A further object of the invention embodies means for maintaining the caps in an atmosphere of proper humidity during the heating androntracting operations. 'i

The inventionfurther involves a structure operable to maintain the operating parts of each `of the cap contracting heads at proper temperature so as not to interfere with the capping operation. i

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters` designate corresponding parts in all the views. ,Y Y e Figure 1 is a front elevational View of a machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view with parts of the drive mechanism shown in elevation and parts omitted, the View being taken on a section corresponding to line 2,-2, Figure 5.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional viewtaken substantially on line 3-3, Figure 2 Figure l4 is a view, similarto Figure 3, taken on a line extending just above the tops of the hotties on the turret of the machine.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on substantially line 5 5, Figure *2,` with the motor cf the head cooling mechanism and parts shown in top plan. Y, y

Figure 6 is a top plan view ofthe drive forA the cap dispensing mechanism, the cover of the hous'- ing enclosing the same being removed.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the drive mechanism shown in Figure 6` with the front side of the housing removed. f

Figure 8 is :an enlargedfragmentary detail of the clutch operating mechanism of the drive shown in Figures 6 and 7. l

Figure `9 is a vfront `elevational `View of the transfer movement of the `cap dispensing mechanism and contiguous. portion of the magazine tube, the front side of, the `housing enclosing th same being removed. l i Figurel 10 is a View, similar tolFigure 9, illustrating the position of the; cap transfer mechanism when a cap-has been transferred from the capsupply to the top vof the bottle.

Figure 11 isa side elevational view of one of the cap contracting heads and contiguous supporting mechanism f Figure l2 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially on line l2-l2, Figure 11. l l Figure 13 is a top plan view of the bottle feeding mechanism and contiguous portion of the machine and bottle conveyor. y

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional'view of `the bottle feed mechanism.

Figure 15 is a` view taken substantially on line l5--|5, Figure 14., i

Figure Y16 is a detail view of the arrangement of the cam surfaces of the bottle feed drive mechanism when the same isinactive. 1

Figure 17 is a view, similar to Figure 16, illustrating the arrangement'of the cam surfacesof the mechanism when a bottle is ready to be fed into the machine. i

Figure 18 .is a diagrammatic'vievv of the head raising and lowering cam progressed on a flat surface.` i g Figure 19 isa view taken on line I S-|9, Figure 12, illustratingthe cap contracting mechanism in expanded position.

Figure 20 is a view, similar to Figure 19, illus- Vtrating the capcontracting mechanism in contracted condition.

Figure 21 is a plan` View of the guide plate in which the cap contracting members are mounted. Figure 22 isa planview of one of the cap contracting members. I 4

Figure 23 is an end View 4ofa cap contracting member looking to the left Figure 22.

The embodiment of the invention here shown comprises a lower base section 2d provided with a plurality of upwardly extending bosses Zi in which are slidably mounted supporting legs 22. The upper portion 23 of each of the bosses 2l is of reduced section formed with a top portion 24 threaded to receive an adjusting screw 25,

the lower end of which .coacts with the upper ends of the legs 22 for` the purpose of leveling the machine on the oor.

The base section is also formed with three intermediate bosses 25 employed to support an upper base section 21. The upper section 21 is provided with a plurality of inwardly extending bosses 28 which engage and'rest upon the bosses 25, and the sections areV secured together as by cap screws 25. The base sections 20, 21 are of substantially circular formation having a flattened portion 35 on the forward side of the machine, and the periphery of the lower section is encircled by a band 3| of sheet metal to prevent I the entrance of moisture in the base and to give the machine `an attractive appearance.

The bottles are carried by a circular turret -32 journalled upon the top of the upper base section 21, the bottles being fed onto the turret from a conveyor 33, land after the bottles are capped they are returned to the conveyor, the conveyor extending horizontally across the'frontflat section of the b-ase. The upper base section 21 is provided with a central hub portion 34in which is rotatably journalled a nut 35. The nut 35 is threaded internally to receive a vertically arranged tubular supporting column 35 which carries the super-structure of the machine. The nut is formed with a shoulder 31 intermediate ,the ends toV prevent downward 'displacement of the nut under the load of the turret rand superstructure of the machine. v

The turret 32 is formed with an'upwardly exy tending cylindrical Vportion 4| and a hub portion 42 rotatably mounted upon the upper portion of the nut 35 and supported by a thrust bearing 43 mounted in the upper end ofthe hub 34' of the base. Theturret is formed with a vplurality of webs M of general triangular formation extend- 'as by a belt 53 trained over an adjustable speed pulley `5ft carried by the motor and a driven pulley carried on one end of the shaft 5|. The oppo- `,site end of the shaft is provided with a worm 56`arranged to mesh with a'worm gear 51 secured `to a vertically extending shaft 58 journalled in a bracket 5S. The shaft 58 is provided with an extension 60, the upper end of which is iournailed in a bearing 6| arranged in the top of the upperV base section 21,l and the upper end of the shaft 60 is provided with a driving pinion 52 arranged in mesh with the ring gear 45. In. thisv manner, rotation of the turret 32 is effected.

The super-structure of' the machine consists of a cylindrical member'l secured at its lower end to the upper end of the tubular column 35 as by screw 1| The upper end of the member 18, the section is also formed with a dome-shaped wall 80, and the hub 'l5 formed with a depending curved annular fiange 8|.

The turret 32 is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart bottle pads and a cap contracting head 85 is arranged above each of the pads 35, the heads being carried by a head supporting member which is rotatable in unison with the turret 32. The head supporting member is formed with a central hub portion 80 having a plurality of ribs 80 depending therefrom and converging to form a lower bearing receiving member 90. A plurality of ribs 5| extend upwardly and converge to form an upper bearing receiving member 52. An anti-friction .bearing 5@ is arranged in the upper member 52 with the bearing encircling the upper portion of the member 10. A bearing SI5 is arranged in the lower member encircling the lower end of the member 10, and metallic spacing sleeves 95 and a. 'plurality of sleeves 91 formed of insulating material are interposed between the bearings 54,

, 95, the assembly beingretained upon the sleeve 1G is formed with an annular flange 13 supported Aby a plurality of radially extending ribs 14. The

member 1li in a manner forms an extension of the column 3B and provides a support'for the top section 15 of the machine. The top section 15 is formed with an .annular hub portion '55 from which a plurality of U shaped ribs 11 radiate upwardly and outwardly to merge with a substantially cylindrical portion 1B. Intermediate 10 by an annular nut member 99. A cylindrical member |00 is secured to the under side of the hub portion 88 and is formed to telescope on the cylindrical member 4| carried by the turret 32. The turret 32 is employed to effect rotation of the head supporting member, this being accomplished by a key H! secured to the periphery of the cylindrical member 4i and arranged cooperable with a lvertically extendin.cr keywayVV |02 formed in the bore of the cylindrical member |00.

A; ring lgear |03 is secured to the lower end of the nut 35 and is arranged in mesh with a pinion |04 carried on the inner end of a horizontally extending shaft |05 journalled at its inner end in a bearing |06 secured to the under side of the top base section Z1 and being journallerl at its outer end in the periphery of the base section 21 and provided with a surface |51 to receive a crank, or other means, for rotating the shaft. Upon rotation of the shaft |05, rotation of the nut 35 is effected and the column 35, the supporting sleeve 10, and the top section 15, are adjusted axially relative to the turret 32.

The top section 15 is held against rotation by three posts H0 depending therefrom and being slidably arranged in apertures formed in the upper base section 21. One of the posts |50 is encircled by a sleeve on which legends are applied as at H2, Figure 2, to indicate the diierent sizes of bottles. These legends are applied to the sleeve to properly register with the lower end of a sleeve ||3 depending from the top section 15, the lower end of which telescopes over the upper end of the sleeve The machine is constructed to apply caps to bottles of one quart, one pint, one-half pint and one-quarter pint capacity. The entire superstructure of the machine is adjusted vertically to accommodate these bottles of diiferent height by rotation of the shaft |05 which elTects vertical movement of the column 35 and all of the structure supported thereby including the head carrying member and theto-p section 15. The head supporting member is formed at its periphery with a cylindrical portion |20, the lower edge of which is connected to the hubf88 by an irregular shaped flange |2I. The peripheral portion |20 is formed with an inwardly extending annular Vflange |22 and is formed at its periphery with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart upper and lower bosses |25, |25. Each of the bosses |25, |25 is provided. with two `alined apertures to receive the'headcarryingrods |21."" i l l Each ofthe heads 06 includes a circular=body member formed with a 'pair of upwardly extending bosses |28 to receive the lower ends of the rods |21, the rods being secured to the head as by pins |29.` The heads also include a tubular shaft arranged centrally of the head and extending upwardly in parallel relationship to the rods 1 |21, The `bodies of the heads are recessed to receive anannul'ar Imember |3| having a hub portion |32l secured to the lower end Vof the tubular shaft |30, as by set screws |33. The annular member |3| is rotatably mounted in the head, 4

-rheu""' rotatably iournalled-in asleeve '|34 formedjat its upper end with a transversely extending Iportion which is provided at its ends with apertures to receive the rods |21 and is secured theret'oas by^pins |36. vEach of the sleeves |34 is provided with an `outwardly extending antifriction roller |31 whichcoacts with a cam track |38"for the purpose of `raising and lowering the heads, as will be hereinafter described.

An arcuate member is adjustably secured intermediate its ends to the upper portion of each tubular shaft |30 as by clamping screwsrl 4 .v The members |40 extend laterally from the shaft |36 andare provided atrtheir innerends with antlfriction4 rollers |42, and at their outer ends, with rollers |43. The rollers |42, |43 coact witharcuatelcam tracks |44, to effect oscillation of the is'uqabiy members |40 and relative rotation between the annular members 3| in the heads and the bodies of the heads. The cam track |44 effects closing of the heads toeontract the skirt of lthe cap about the top ofthe bottle, and the track I 45 jmoves ,the heads to open position.` r j `The arrangement is such that the` tubular shaft |30 extends intermediate a pair of adjacent bosses |25, |26. AOne of the head carrying rods |21 of each head is slidably mounted in one pair of apertures of one set of bosses |25, |26, and the other rod |21 of the head is slidably mounted in'the apertures of the adjacent bosses |25, |25, see

Figures 5 and 11. The transversely extending portion |35 of sleeve |34 is arranged on the rods |21 intermediate the upper `and lower bosses 2,5', |26, the bosses |26 serving as a downward stop for the head. Upon rotation of theturret 32 and the head carrying member, the heads are moved vertically toward and from the turret and the annularV members |3| are rotated relative tothe heads once during each cycle of the turret and head carrying member. v

n The bottles `are conveyed to andfrom the machine by the conveyor 33 previously referred to, the eonveyortravelingfrom left to right Figures 4, 5 and 13. The Abottles are` fed from the conveyor chain VV33 `onto the bottle pads 85 of turret 32 by -a star wheel |50 and a guide |5| enacting` therewith. l The star wheel -is arranged intermediate .the conveyor chain 33 and the turret 32 withthe vpoints of the wheel extending4 partially over each pper portion'of the tubular-*shaft 13e-is l and secured against Arotationrelative thereto by a key |59. The upper end of the sleeve |58 is provided with a flange |60 formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart apertures to receive bolts |6I employed to attach a collar |62 to the flange |60 of sleeve |58. The heads or upper ends of the bolts |6| extend upwardly beyond the flange of the collar |62, and the star wheel-|50 is provided with apertures spaced complemental to the spacing of the bolts |6|, whereby the star wheel |50` is detachably mounted upon the sleeve |58. The apertures in flange |60 are elongated circumferentially to permit adjustment of the collar |62 and star wheel |50 relative toishaft |52. The star wheel is secured against misplacement by a nut `I6 threading upon the collar |62;`

A Vdrivinggear |64 is secured to the lower end of the sleeve |58 and a cam |65 is positioned immediately above `the gear |64, both the gear andthe cam being secured to the sleeve as by set screws |65. The gear |64 and cam |65 are employe'd to operatea bottle timer |68, as will be hereinafter described: l'

The shaft |52 is rotated in timed relation to the rotation of the turret 32. A pinion |60 is mcunteduponthe vertical shaft 53 and is ar. rangeil'oy meshwith angear |10 mounted upon onee'rfd of a Yhorizontallyextending shaft |1| journalled in a bracket |12 mounted rupon the base 20. The opposite end of the shaft |1| is provided with' a pinion |13 arranged to mesh with a pinion |14 mounted upon the shaft |52, see .Figures 2 and 3. The shaft |52 is also provided with a pinion |15 arranged to mesh with a pinion llsecured to one end of a shaft |11 mountedin bracket |54 and provided atits opposite end with a pinion |18 arranged to mesh Vwitha lgear |10 secured to the lower end of 'a shaft ,|83 vertically arranged in the base and having its lowerend journalled in a boss 8| of bracket |54,see Figure y2. The drive from shaft y58totshaft |52 is omitted in Figure 2 `to avoid rconfusion in that view.

Anout-feed star wheel |32 is detachably mounted upon the upper end of'shaft |80 in a manner similar to the mounting of the in'feed star wheel |50. Thegearing described functions torotate the shafts |52, in unison and in timed `relation with the rotation of turret 32. The'guide |5| isdetach'ably mounted upon studs |88 extending upwardly frornthe` top of the upper basesection 21 and coacts with the in-feed 'star wheel |50 and the out-feed wheelV |82 to feed the uncapped bottles from the conveyor 33 `to the turret 32, and the'capped bottles from the' turret 32 back to the conveyor 33.

Due te the fact that the bottles advanced by the conveyor 33 are' not `uniformly spaced, or notin propertimed relationship to the operation of the irl-,feed Istar wheel |50,. the -bottle timer |68 is `provided to effect proper timed movement of the uncapped bottlesinto the concavities` of thestar `wheel |50. flhewtimer- |68 -is `in the na tureof asmall star or-.gate wheel; and is here shown aslprovided with a lesser number of con-` cavities `or" pockets ,than the in-feed star .wheel |50. The timing wheel `|58 isarranged upon the upper end of-a shaft |89 verticallyjournalled in a housing |90mounted upon thefbase 21. The lowerendof :the shaftis rotatably journalled in ,a bearing cap 9| .l `A sleeve- |'92lis rotatably mounted upon the upper end ofl-the -shaftBS au Y and is formed with an enlarged annular portion |193 to receive a clutch member |94.

The clutch member |94 is in the nature of a disk provided with a central aperture to ireely receive the upper end of the shaft |89, and with a. radially extending aperture to receive a ball |95 spring actuated outwardly. The annular portion of sleeve |92 is provided with an aper ture l|96 with which the ball |95 coacts to form a slip 'clutch `drivebetween the sleeve |92 and the clutch member |99. The timing wheel |68 is detachably mounted upon the driven clutch member |99,-as by screw |91, and to the end of shaftv |99 byfscrew |98. Y

Asleeve |99 lis rotatably mounted in the lower portion of the housing |99 and is formed at its upper end with gear teeth 299 forming a gear meshing with an idler gear 29| which, in turn, is arranged to engage with the gear |69. Accordingly,` during rotation of the turret 32, the sleeve |99 is continually rotated in a counterclockwise direction, Figure 15. The upper surfaceof the sleeve |99, above the'gear teeth 299, is formed with clutch teeth202.

v Means is provided for clutching the sleeve |92 to the sleeve |99 in order to effect proper synchronized movement of the timer wheel |66 and the. star wheel |59. This is accomplished by anrintermediate member 295 rotatably mountedv upon the vshaft |89. The upper side of the member` 295 is formed with a transversely extending recess to receive opposed prongs 296 formed on the bottom end o sleeve |92, whereby the timer wheel |68 is rotated upon rotation of the intermediate clutch member 295.

f VThe periphery of the member 295 is formed with four Ateeth 291, and the under side of the member 205 is formed with an inner and outer series of cam teeth. The inner series of cam teeth consists of four teeth 208 which are arranged for engagement with the teeth 292 formed on the upper end of sleeve |99. There are three teeth 292 equally spaced apart circumferentially. The outer series of teeth, formed Ion the bottom side of member 205, consists of four equally spaced teeth 2|9. These teeth are arranged to engage four equally spaced teeth 2|| carried by an annular member 2 I2 secured against rotation in the housing. The stationary teeth 2|| coact with the outer series of teeth 2| 9 to raise the intermediate clutch member 295 upwardly so that the teeth 208 are out of engagement with the driving teeth 292, see Figure 14. The member 295 is normally maintained in this position by a pawl 2|3 pivotally mounted intermediate, its ends on aypin 2|4. The inner end 2 I5 of the pawl is yieldingly urged into contact with the cam |95 byv spring 2I6, see Figure 15.

The cam |95 is provided with six equally spaced lobes 2|9. lAccordingly, upon rotation of the sleeve |58, the pawl 2|3 is oscillated about the pivot pin 2|9. Normally, the tooth 2|9 of the pawl is arranged in engagement with one Iof the teethk 291 holding the clutch member 295 from rotation and maintaining it with the teeth 2 I 9 positioned-'on'top of the teeth 2 I I.

-When the inner end 2 I5 of the pawl is engaged by a cam lobe 2I8, the tooth 2|9 of the pawl is moved out of engagement with 'the teeth 291 perinitting the .member 295 to be rotated, by a bottle moving on conveyor 33, to move the teeth 2|9 01T from the top of the teeth 2li. Thereupon the member 205, together with sleeve |92 and gate wheel I 68, is permitted to drop bringing one of the teeth 298 into engagement with one Iof the driving teeth 202.

It will be understood that the conveyor 33 is usually operated `by a separate motor and not in timed relation with the capping machine. In other words, the conveyor 33 runs continuously in order to convey the lled bottles from the lling machine. Accordingly as a bottle is conveyed by the conveyor 33, it engages one of the arms of the gate wheel I 68. As previously pointed out, the gate wheel is locked against rotation by the tooth 2 9 being in engagement with one of the teeth 291. The tooth 2|9 is moved out of engagement ,with the teeth 291 in timed relation to the operation of the machine and upon disengagement of the tooth 2|9, the gate Wheel |68 is driven under power and in timed relation with the machine particularly the star wheel |59,whereby'the bottle is moved in proper timed relation to enter one .of the pockets of the star wheel |50.

`In order that this operation just described may be performed in very accurate timed relation, the teeth 291 and the tooth 2|9 are so shaped that upon movement of the tooth 2|9 towardthe axis of the member 295, this member is urged in a forward or counterclockwise direction, Figures 15, 16 and 1'7. This feature is of importance as it assures movement of the teeth 2 I 9 off the teeth 2| thereby permitting the member 205 to drop and permitting the rst available driving tooth 202 to engage a tooth 298. In other words, the member 295 is released in timed relation tothe star wheel |59 and is positively urged forward in timed relation to the star wheel. That is, each bottle engages the gate vwheel |58 and thereafter the conveyor chain 33 slips under the bottom of the bottle effecting somewhat of a'pressure against the arm of the gate wheel so that immediately lupon outward movement of the tooth 2|9 on the pawl 2|3, the gate wheel is-moved bythe bottle. However, inasmuch'as the confronting edges of the teeth 291 and the tooth 2|9 are practically knife edges, this movement need only be a very few thousandths of an inch, which would not be sufficient to move the teeth 2 |0 off from the teeth 2| I. However, continued .pressure by the bottle is not relied upon to effect the necessary further movement of rotation of the gate wheel, but this is accomplished by the angularity of the back sides of the teeth 291 and tooth 2 I9 The result is that this mechanism operates with extreme accuracy to time the movement ofv the bottle onto the pockets of the star wheel I 50. A

A supply of caps 230 are arranged in stack formation in a tubular member 23| extending at an angle from a housing 232 arranged on the front of the machine. The tube 23| is formed with an axially extending slot 233 to indicate the quantitay of caps in the supply and to facilitate the removal of caps from the tube when it is desired to do so. The lower end of the tube is formed with an inwardly extending annular flange 234 which serves to support thel stack of caps in the tube.

As each bottle is moved from the conveyorV 33 to the turret 32 by the in-fed star wheel |59, the lowermost cap of the stack formation is removed from the tube 23| and deposited on thetop of the bottle. This transfer is accomplished by transfermechanism arranged in the housing 232 and which is operated in timed relation to the turret 32, the operating mechanism being arranged in a housing 236 mounted on the top of the top section 15. The operating mechanism is actuated by a bottle actuatable controller 231 arranged to be engaged by the bottle as the same is moved off from the conveyor 33 onto the turret 32,

The transfer mechanism consists of a block 240 movably mounted upon a roller 24|. The roller 24| is arranged in an elongated slot 242 formed in the lblock 240, the roller being rotatably mounted upon a screw 243. `The block is mounted on the roller 24| by a large washer 244 overlying theface ofthe block. The screw 243 `is threaded into a cam block 245 which is formed with a curved slot 246 terminating at'its lower end in anvertically` extending slot 241 and at its upper end in a slot 4248 extending substantially axial of the tube 23|. `The block 240 is provided with a roller 249 arranged to travel in the slots 246., 241 and 248. A suction cup 250 is secured to one end of the block and is connected to the stationary member 25| of a valve mechanism by a flexible tube 252. A link 253 is also pivotally connected to the same end of the'block 240 as by screw`254. The upper end of the link 253 is connected to a rock arm 255 journalled in the upper housing 236 on a shaft 256.

The operating mechanism in the housing 236 effects oscillation of the' arm 255 and accordingly, vertical reciprocable movement of the link 253. Normally, the block 240 is positioned with the suction cup 250 in vengagement with the lowermost cap of the stack formation, as indicated in Figure 9. Inthis position, the tube 252 is connected to the tube 251 which extends to a vacuum pump 258 arranged in the base 20 and which is driven by the motor 58 through a belt 259.

[Referring toFigure 9, the stationary valve l member 25| isprovided with a port 260 which is connected to the flexible tube 252. The movable valve member 26|is provided Witha vacuum port 262V and Withan exhaustport y263. The movable member 26 ll is slidably arranged on the stationary member 25| and is operated by an angle lever pivoted at 264 and which is formed With a laterally extending` arm 265 anda `downwardly extending arm v266. Ablock 261 is slidably mounted upon-the lower end of thearm 266 and is pivotally connected to the movablemember 26|.

A helical compression spring 268is arranged on the arm 266 and interposedbetween a shoulder 269 and the block 261 and functions to yieldingly maintain the movable member 26| in engagement with the top surface of the stationary valve member 25|. The valve angle lever is oscillated about the pivot 264 by a pair of collars 210, 21|, both of which are adjustably secured to the link 253. Uponupward movement of the link 253, the lower collar 210 engages thev arm 265 moving the valve member 26| to the right, Figure 9, connecting the vacuum port 262 with the port 260. Accordingly, the lowermost capof the stack formation is secured to the f suction cup 250 until the block 240 hasbeen moved about the roller 24| to substantiallyr Verticalposition, during which movement thelowerinost cap is withdrawn from the tube 23| and Vis arrangedininverted position, as Y illustrated in Figure Vl0, at which time the upper collar 21| engages the arm 265 shifting the valve member 26| to the'left bringing the port 263 in register with the port 260 connecting the suction cup to atmosphere and permitting the cap to drop from the cup.` It will be observed that the cam slots 246,` 241 and 248 are so arranged as to effect a shift of the block 240 from the position shown in Figure 9`to the position shown inFigure l0,A with the` result'that Vthe lowermost` cap is transferred from the cap supply.

ally connected at its opposite end to a crank pin 211 carried by the driven member 218 of a one revolution clutch. The clutch member 218 is rotatably mounted upon the upper end of a shaft 219 journalled at its upper end in the housing 236 and journalled at its lower end in the housing 232 at 280. recessed to slidably receive a shaft 28| which is detachably secured to the collar 4|62 on shaft |52, see Figure 14. The upper end of the shaft 28| effects rotation of the shaft 219 by a key 282, see Figure 4. A gear 283 is fixed to the upper portion of the shaft 219 and is arranged in mesh with a pinion 284 journalled on a stud 285, the upper end of which is' journalled in a bracket 286 in the housing 236. A gear 281 is fixed to the pinion 284 and is arranged in mesh with a pinion 288 freely mounted upon the shaft 219.

A driving clutch section 289 is fixed to the pinion 288 and is formed with a notch 290. The driven clutch section 216 is formed with a peripheral groove 29| and with an axially extending groove in which is mounted a driving key 292. The driving key 292 is urged `downwardly by a helical compression spring 293, and thekeyintermediate its ends is formed with a groove 294, the upper wall of whichextends in an angular direction as indicated at 295, Figure 8. The upward movement of the key' 292 is limited'by a plate 296.

As previously explained, the shaft |52 rotates continuously and in timedrelation with the turret 32. Accordingly, the driving clutch section 289 is rotated continuously with the turret and at comparatively highspeed because of the gearing 283, 284, 281 and 288. Normally however, the driven clutch section 218` is held stationary in a predetermined position by va pawl 291 pivotally mounted on a stud 298. The free end of the pawl 291 is movable toward and from the axis ofthe driven clutch member 218 and Yis arrangedin register with the' groove 29|. The end of the pawl is tapered as at 299, and the'pawl .is somewhat `greater in thickness than the effective width of the slot 294. Accordingly, when the free end of the pawl is arranged in the slot 29| it' enters the slot 294 of the driving key 292 and urges the same upwardly againstthe action of spring 293 into engagement with plate 296. This upward movement `of the driving key is sufficient to bring the lowerend thereof out of the slot 290 in the driving member 289. Accordingly, the driven member becomes disconnected fromthe driving member. However, the upward movement of the key 292, as limited by plate 296, is not sufcient for the upper wall of the slot 294 to clear the top surface of the pawl 291 and therefore the driven member is stopped in a predetermined position, as illustrated inFigures 6 and '7, and at which time the cap transfer block 2.40 is arranged inthe upper position,as illustrated in Figure 9. i i

The pawl 291 is actuated by the bottle actuatable controller 231. This controller is in the nature ofian arm secured to the lower end of a shaft 300 journalled in a bearing 30| and journalled at its upper end in the housing 236.- An arm 302 is keyed tothe upper end oftheshaft 330 and is operatively connected to the paw12'91 by a link 303. The free end` of thel bottle actuatablercontroller 231 is provided witharoller 304 arranged'to be engaged bythe "body of each bottle as the same passes from the conveyor"33 to the turret 32, see Figure A13. l

ACCOIdiIlgly, as each bottle. istransferredl on the turret by the starwheel |50,` the cap trans- The lower end of the shaft 219 is fer operating mechanism is actuated and a cap transferred from the'capA supply.V The transferred cap is deposited on an inner and cuter arcuate track section 309, 3m. The track sections 339, 3|@ are mounted'on the lower end of the housing 232 and are arranged concentrically about the axis of the shaft |52 and extend inwardly and downwardly overthe Vbottle pads on the turret 32, see Figures 4 and l0.

A star wheel 3|I is secured to the lower end of the shaft 219 as by set screw 3 I 2, and is formed with the same number of pockets as the ifi-feed star wheel |50. However, the pockets in the star ywheel 3| I are formed'to receive the neck portion of the bottles B. The star wheel 3| I is provided with cap engaging members 3|3, and the arrangement is such that when the caps are deposited on the tracks 333, 3|3, they are moved along the tracks'by the members 3|3. As previ- -ously stated, the rear or innerends of the tracks '339, 3|3 extend downwardly adjacent the upper surfaceof the wheel 3| with the result that as the caps are moved along the tracks they descend onto the tops of ythe bottles. With this mechavnisrrnthe caps are placed centrally on the tops of the bottles while' they are being fed onto the turret 32. In Yorder to more denitely position Vthe tops ofthe bottles centrally with the capping From the description tnsra, it winne apparent that. the uncapped bottles are fed in timed relation from th'e conveyor 33 into the'star wheel v|56 and onto the bottle pads 85 of turret 32. During the transfer of the bottles from the con- Veyor'to the turret, a cap is deposited on the top of each bottle. through an orbital path by the turret during which time the caps are heated, the skirt portion folded about thetop of the bottles and contracted thereon, and the capped bottles are transferred from the turret back onto the conveyor 33 by the out-feed star wheel |32. The mechanism for heating the caps and contracting the same about the tops of the bottlesl will' be now described. Y f o This mechanism consists of the heads 85, there being a head arranged coaxially aboveeach bottle pad 35, as previouslyeexplained, and each head is provided with an` individual heating; means operable to heat the cap after the samerhas been placed on the top of the bottle. The heater consists of a rod 325 bent into circular form with the adjacent ends extending'laterally as at 323. The heater rod 325 is arranged in an annular reflector 321 supported from the body castingT of the head by a pluraltyofbraces'328. The laterally extending ends .326 rare arrangedr to extend inwardly toward the `axis of the machine land are connected to three cables 329. arranged in an annular duct 335. :Thetop wall-ofA this duct is v formed by the flange|2| of thefhead carrying member, and the vbottom-wall is completed by the upper flange ofthe cylindrical member Ibil.` The heater rods 325'. are connected' to the cables 323 by flexible4 conductors 33 IY extending through The bottles are 'moved apertures formed in the bottom wall of the duct 33|). Y

Each of the cables 329 is connected to a brush 33|! carried on the web structure 89 of the head carrying member 88. Each brush 340 is arranged -to ride upon a contact ring 34| during rotation of the turret and head member, the rings 34| being mounted upon insulating sleeves 91 interposed between the spacers 96 and encircling the column 10. Each ring 34| is provided with a terminal 332 extending in the bore of the column 10 and the service wires, not shown, are brought upwardly from the base 20 through the column 36 and connected to the terminals 342. The particular electrical installation shown and described is of the three phase type, and the heater rods 325 are connected to the cables 329 so that the rload on each phase is substantially balanced. f

The caps in the cap supply 230 are of substantially at disk formation, the peripheral margin 350 being scored, as indicated in Figure 4, in order to facilitate the folding and contracting of the skirt portion of the cap uniformly about the neck of the bottle. Accordingly, when the caps are deposited upon the bottles fed onto the turret 32, they are in this substantially flat form and the heater rods 325 carried by the heads are arranged to overlie the marginal portion 350 of the caps and to heat the same while the bottles and caps are being advanced by. the rotation of the turret 32.

During the placement of the caps on the bottles, the heads 86 are elevated slightly above the tops of the bottles. After the caps have been placed on the tops of the bottles, the heads B5 are lowered to heating position and remain in this position during a substantial portion of the travel of the bottles and caps. At the end of this period, the heads are lowered, folding the marginal portion 355 of the cap downwardly about the top of the bottle, and the cap contracting mechanism of each head is then actuated to tightly contract the cap about the neck of the bottle. Subsequently, the heads are elevated and thereupon the bottles are transferred from the turret back `onto the conveyer 33 by the star wheel |82. This vertical movement of the heads 86 is accomplished by the circular cam track |38 previously referred to. The cam track |38 is formed with a high portion 355 arranged over the in-feed wheel |50, and with a lo-w portion 356 of considerable extent.

The high and low portions 355, 356 are connected by a short intermediate portion 351. As previously explained, the rollers |31 ride upon 'the cam track |38. `The arrangement of the cam track |38 is such that the headsV are elevated by the high portion 3,55 While the heads are traveling over the in-'feedgwheel |50. Duringthis time, the bottles B are fed onto the turret and Va cap placed uponthe top of each bottle. Thereupon, the heads are lowered slightly by the intermediate section 351, with the result that the plunger 35S, carried on a stem 35B slidably mounted in each head, is brought into engagement with the cap on the bottle as indicated in position 2, Figure 18. The purpose of the plunger '359 is to hold theA cap 'centrally on the bottle'during the heating operation. Thereafterthe roller |31 of each head passes onto the low portion 356 vof the cam track 'permitting the head to descend 'as indicated in position 3, Figure 18. In this position, the heating rod 325 is located in proximity tothe skirt portion 35B of the cap. The heads continue in this Vheating position during .the major portion of the travel of the bottle on the turret, this distance being indicated substantially as 1809 in FigureV 4. However, the duration of thetravel of the bottle and cap during the heating period may vary in accordance with the speed at `which the machine is operating, and the materialof which the coating on the cap is made.

At the end of the heating period, the rollers |31 are successively moved off fromthe track by a kicker cam 36| pivoted. at 362 and actuated by a compression spring 363. This action permits the heads to descend to full low position, or until the supporting member |35 engages the bosses |26 of the head carrying member, see Figure 11. When the heads have been Athus moved downwardly, the marginal portion 35|) of the cap is folded about the top of the bottle and thereupon the rollers |42 engageV the cam track |44 elfecting clockwise rotation of the annular member |3.|. `This clockwise rotation of the member |3| effects inward radial movement of a plurality of `cap contracting members1365 which are slidably arranged in .radially extending slots 366 formed in an annular. guide :plate 361. :i Each ofthe capcontracting members 365 is of substantially rectangular formation formed with an inner arcuateedge 369 andbeing provided with a pin 316 arranged substantially in the center of the member. The inner. corners of the cap contracting members 365 ,are reduced in thickness, one corner being relieved on the upper side as atV 31| ,l andthe opposite corner being relieved on the lower side as at 312. With this construction, the inner corners of each member overy tion of the `cap against the neck of the bottle.

l The cap engaging members 365 are arranged in the slots `366 of theguide plate 361, the members 365 and the plate being located in an annular member 3.13` having a-cylindrical iange 314 encircling the lower end of the body of the heads 86 and being detachably secured thereto as by screws 315. .A cylindrical. cap folding member 316 is securedfto 4and depends from the annular member 313 and is ared outwardly at its lower end. The function of the folding member 316 is to fold the marginal portion 350 of the cap about the neck of the bottle when the heads descend under the influence of -the kicker cam 36|.

The cap contracting members 365 are moved radially by cam members 311. These cammembers are pivotally mounted at one end on the pins 319 of 4the respective cap` contracting members, and are pivotally mounted at their opposite ends on pins 318 depending from the annular member f|3|.l `The. icammembers 311 are normally arranged circumferentially, or end: to end, and the outer side. of each cam member is formed with a slot having a cam surface 319. This cam surface of- `each cam.member is cooperable with a roller` 380 mounted upon a pin 38| extending into the; body of the head 186. `In other words, the pins 38|,-.are stationary. and accordingly, when the pins 318and. the cam members are moved in a clockwise ,direction Figure` 19, theA free ends of the carn mernbersand the cap-.contracting membersi 365 are'urged inwardly bythe cam surface .31.9 ,engagingth'ei rollers 380 mounted on the stationary. pins 38|.. Upon counterclockwise movement ofitneannular memberA |3| and pins 318, the cam members ,arelikewise moved in afcoun- LLO terclockwise direction and when the=points1382 engage the stationary pins 38|, or the rollers 38|) carried thereby, the vcam members are moved about their pivot pins 318 and the free ends 0f the cam members and the cap contracting members 365 are moved radially outwardly, VAccordingly, as the rollers |42 engage the arcuatecam track |44, the cap .engaging members 365, Vare moved radially inwardly to contract the skirt `portion 350 of the cap against the neck '.of the bottle, and the caps are heldin this contracted condition for a short period, or until the rollers |42 reach the end-of the track |44 and at the same time, the outer ,rollers |43 engage the circular track |45 imparting the counterclockwise movement to the annular member |3| and thus move the cap contracting members outwardly t the position shown in Figure 19. At this time, the capped bottles are approach- .ing the out-feed wheel |82, andthe rollers |31 engage the inclined portion383of the track |38 causing the heads 86 to be elevated from position 5 to position 6 shown in Figure 18. The capped bottles are now engaged by the out-feed wheel |82 and transferred from the turret to the conveyor 33.

It will be apparent from the description that the machine is operable to transfer uncappe'd bottles` from the conveyor 33 onto the turret 32 and to :transfer a cap from the cap supply to the top of each bottle as the same is transferred onto the turret. As the bottles are advanced` by the turret, each capis individually heated while on the bottle and subsequently the marginal portion of the cap is folded about the top of the bottle and contracted and held contracted until the coating on the cap sets suiiciently=-tomakethe cap selfesecuring on thecbottle and thereafter, the bottles are returned to the conveyor 133. lThe caps are heated by the individual :heaters carried by. each of the cap contracting heads 86.

The material with which thecaps-are coated Amay be of such a nature as to stick or accumulate on the cap contracting members 365, particularly if these members become heated to any appreciable extent.

My invention includes the provision of means for maintaining the cap contracting members, and associated parts of each head, at proper temperature for the most efficient operation in connection with the particular cap coating material employed. Each of the heads 86 is provided with an aperture in the top side thereof in whicha tubular member 390 is mounted.' The upper end of the tubeis 'slidably mounted in an aperture 39| formed in the head carrying member V88. The lower end Yof the tube opens into an annular recess 392 formed in the head above the central Vportion of the annular member |3|` which, in

turn, is formed with a pluralitycof circumferentially spaced apart apertures 393. The body of the head is also `formed with a plurality of aper tures 394 extending from the recess 362 down- "wardly and outwardly, as indicated in Figure 12.

The vertical flange ofthe annular member-313 is also provided with a plurality of apertures 395. `The peripheral wall.- |26 and the flanges 2|, Y|22 of the head carrying member forman an'- `nular duct `39,6 to which the upper ends ofthe which a closure 39' is detachably secured, see Figure 2, and centrally to which is securedV a vertically arranged motor.398, the armature shaft of which extends downwardly into'the duct 396 and to which is secured a fan 399. The bottom side of the fan is arranged in proximity to an aperture formed in the hub portion 15, and the fan functions to draw air upwardly from the base through apertures Mit formed in the top base section 2'1', apertures 40| formed in the hub 42 of the turret and upwardlyl within the cylindrical members 4l, |00, through the hub 'I6 of the top member. This air is expelled through the duct 396 and downwardly through` each of the tubes 390. Accordingly, each of the heads 86 is supplied with a constant flow of cool air which is directed over 'the top of the annular member ll,

and also through the-'passages 394i, some of the air passing outwardly through the apertures 395, and some passing aboutr and through the cap contracting mechanism.

When there is no bottle under-a head, a portion of the air also passes downwardly through the apertures 393 and through the central portion of the head.v

During the cap heating position, as indicated j located in an atmosphere having high humidity,

means is provided for automatically de-humidifying the air blown through the heads and for automatically maintaining the air at the proper humidity. This means consists of a .de-humidifier 495 arranged in the base 20 and connected with the apertures 469 as by ducts 496. The cle-humidifier 405 may be of any suitable type vand construction.

What I claim is:

l. A machine for Yapplying hood caps to bottles, the skirt portions of which caps are coated with a substance rendered adhesive by the application of heat to make the caps self-securing on the bottles comprising a frame, means operable to advance a procession ofbottles with caps positioned thereon, a series of cap contracting members arranged above said bottles, and said membersV being movable in unison with the procession of bottles, each of said members being provided'with a heater unit, said cap contracting members being positioned with the heater unit of each of said members in heat exchanging relation with the cap on the bottle below said mem'- berfor a predetermined distanceofthe advancement of the bottles to heat the marginal portion of the cap, andmeans operable after the 'heating` .with the capped bottles.

2. A machine 'forapplying hood. caps to bottles, the'skirt portions of which caps. are coated with Va substance renderedadhesive bythe application of heat to make the caps self-securing on the bottles, comprising a base, a turret rotatably mounted on the base and operable to advance a procession of bottles with caps positioned there- `on, an annular series of cap contracting heads arrangedabove the turret with each of said heads positioned in alinement with a bottle on the turret, said annular series of heads being movable in unison with said turret and each of said heads being provided with a cap heating unit, and cam means operable to successively move the heads downwardly to fold the marginal portion of the cap about the top of the bottle, each of said heads being provided with a plurality of cap engaging members operable to contract the folded portion of the cap against the bottle, a blower, a duct extending from said blower to the interior of each of said heads and operable t0 direct a blast of air from said blower through said heads to effect cooling of said cap engaging members.

3. A machine for applying hood caps to bottles, the skirt portions of which caps are coated with a substance rendered adhesive by the application of heat to make the caps self-securing on the bottles, comprising a frame, means operable for advancing a procession of bottles with caps thereon, cap contracting members movable in unison with said procession of bottles above the same, said cap contracting members comprising a body, an annular series of jaws arranged in the body to receive the top of the bottle with ar cap thereon and being movable radially toward and .from the axis of the body to contract the cap about the neck of the bottle, an annular heating unit secured to the lower end of the body and operable to heat the marginal portion of the cap during movement of the bottle and the contracting member, an annular folding member depending from said body and arranged wit-hin said heater and being operable upon relative axial movement between the bottle and the capcontracting member to fold the heated portion of the cap about the neck of the bottle, and means operable to direct an air blast'about said jaws and folding member.

4. A machine for applying hood caps to bottles, the skirt portions of which caps are coated with a substance rendered adhesive by the application of heat to make theV caps self-securing on the bottles, comprising a frame, means operable for advancing a processionv of bottles with caps thereon, cap contracting members movable in unison with said procession of bottles above the same, said cap contracting members comprising a body, a circular member rotatably mounted in the low- `er end of the body, a plurality of cap contracting .jaws slidably mounted in the body and being movable radially toward and from the axis there- Vo1 .upon relative rotation between said member and the body, said body being formed with an ,air duct receiving passage andwith an annular Ypassage connecting therewith and arranged above said circularlmember, said body being formed with a plurality of passages extending from said annular passage outwardlythrough the body, and ysaid circular member being provided with a plurality of passages extending from said annular Apassage.downwardly to the interior of said member, an annular heatingmember secured to the lower end of the body and operable to heat the marginal portion of 'the cap on thebottle positioned below said cap contracting member, an annular folding member depending 4from the body and arranged within said heater and being operable to fold the heated portion of the cap about 

